Music Department

The music department at Yavneh College has already established itself as a vibrant and active department within the school, with a number of concerts and music competitions held throughout the year.   A large number of pupils have individual 30-minute instrumental lessons.  The school’s recent Ofsted Report (May 2008) commented on the benefit to the pupils of the extracurricular music activities offered in school:

‘There are many educational trips and visits.  A high number of students receive additional music tuition, and the annual music-theatre production is extremely popular and well-received. These activities contribute enormously to students’ excellent personal development.’

Aims

  1. To encourage every pupil to discover their musical talent by giving them the opportunity to explore a variety of musical instruments and genres, and helping them to acquire the knowledge, skills, and understanding to make music.
  1. To give every pupil the opportunity to play a variety of musical instruments as part of their music lessons.  Every pupil will learn to read music and to play the keyboard during their Key Stage 3 studies.
  • To encourage every pupil to expand their musical knowledge and appreciation of different musical genres across different eras and centuries.
  1. To give pupils more confidence by encouraging them to perform on a regular basis, both during lessons and in concerts held throughout the year.  All Year 7 pupils perform in our annual Chanukah Show which takes place in December.

We set extremely high standards and focus on challenging all pupils.  Our schemes of work support pupils’ learning in other subject areas, including cross-curricular links with Business & Enterprise, Citizenship, Drama and ICT, amongst others.

Curriculum

All Key Stage 3 pupils have weekly music lessons where they learn how to perform, compose, listen and appraise music from a wide range of genres.  Pupils begin their musical studies at Yavneh College with different musical experiences and backgrounds, and they are encouraged to share these. 

Musical genres studied in Key Stage 3 include:

  • Rock ‘n’ Roll music
  • Indonesian Gamelan music
  • Japanese music
  • Composition and performance using the 12 bar blues
  • African drumming and singing
  • Composition using graphic scores
  • Rock and pop music
  • Brit Pop
  • Film music
  • World fusion music
  • British folk music

Key Stage 4

At GCSE level, pupils who choose to take this subject will have the opportunity to study a wide variety of musical genres, from the History of Western Music to popular music of the 20th Century, and World music to the music from musicals.

We are currently teaching the EdExcel GCSE Music course which enables pupils to perform, compose, analyse, and embrace music of different styles.

Every pupil will take their own musical journey while studying at the school.  Our aim is that each pupil will discover their own musical talent which they will hopefully then explore and develop further.

From September 2011, we hope to offer A level Music.

Facilities

The music department has recently moved into a purpose built fabulous music suite, comprising a large classroom, a very large room for ensemble performances, four practice rooms including a large band room, and a music store. Both teaching rooms have built-in recording facilities, IMac computers with music software including Logic and Sibelius, pianos, electronic keyboards, and an impressive range of other instruments. 

Enrichment

The Music Department offers a number of enrichments throughout the year for all Key Stage 3 pupils. These currently include:

  1. Yavneh College Choir

The Yavneh College Choir performs on a regular basis in school assemblies, annual concerts and in various performances for the local community.  The pupils enjoy a repertoire from a wide variety of musical styles in a number of languages.  These include: musical theatre, pop and rock ’n’ roll songs, classical songs, Israeli/Hebrew songs, operetta, songs based on religious Hebrew text, and those of the various world music genres.  Pupils are taught how to sing in 2-, 3-, and 4-part harmony, including SATB.  Regular workshops are held on performance and vocal techniques.  Pupils also learn about songwriting and structure, how to sight-read music, and how to follow a conductor’s instructions and beats.

  1. Instrumental Ensemble

The Yavneh College Instrumental Ensemble encourages the participation of musicians of all abilities.  The repertoire draws on a variety of genres, including orchestral music from the Baroque era to contemporary styles; film music; musical theatre; and chamber music. The curriculum is enriched with workshops by a number of professional musicians, who also regularly participate in rehearsals.  Pupils are also taught conducting techniques and are given the opportunity to conduct the ensemble during our performances.  The Instrumental Ensemble performs on a regular basis, including school concerts, and as part of our musical productions.

  1. Music Theory (for Gifted & Talented musicians)

In Music Theory enrichment, pupils learn about the foundations of music, in line with the ABRSM music theory criteria.  In general terms, music theory analyses the elements of music including harmony, rhythm, melody, structure, form, texture, dynamics, timbre, duration and pitch.  This enrichment will enhance the musical knowledge of all pupils as part of their National Curriculum studies at Key Stage 3, and in preparation for GCSE and A Level music studies.  Pupils studying a musical instrument will also benefit greatly from these sessions, as they will require Grade 5 Music Theory in order to progress to Grade 6 in ABRSM practical instrumental and vocal exams.  Pupils learn at their own pace through a variety of different teaching and learning methods and they are given the opportunity to take ABRSM graded music theory exams.

The Yavneh College Singers, our Gifted and Talented choir, rehearse at lunch times and have been very successful since being established in January 2009.  They have performed at numerous events and concerts across London, including a performance with the Zemel Choir in St. John’s Smith Square, a Music for Youth Festival performance at St. Lukes.  The choir won the award for ‘Best Youth Choir’ at the North London Music Festival in June 2009, and were invited back to perform at the Prize-Winner’s concert in July.

Instrumental Lessons

We offer pupils the opportunity to have 30-minute private music lessons on a rotational basis throughout the school day. Ofsted commended the high proportion of pupils taking up this opportunity. Lessons are currently offered in:

  • Flute
  • Trombone
  • Acoustic Guitar
  • Violin
  • Oboe
  • Tuba
  • Bass Guitar
  • Piano
  • Clarinet
  • Euphonium
  • Electric Guitar
  • Recorder
  • Saxophone
  • Cornet
  • Keyboard
  • Drums
  • Trumpet
  • Singing

Musical Performance

Pupils are encouraged to perform in class on a regular basis, to increase their self-confidence, and to encourage them to show their musical talent.  We also hold a number of performances throughout the year, as well as an annual school musical production.

  1. Chanukah Show

In December, pupils have a chance to display their musical talent in our Chanukah Show.  Pupils can audition for solo or group instrumental and vocal performance slots and each of our Year 7 classes collaborate to perform a song using their singing and instrumental skills.

  1. Arts Festival

In December, we celebrate the performing arts with an Arts Festival, comprising a number of performances and concerts, from the Chanukah Shows, to Musical performances, drama productions, workshops, and more.  Each year as the school grows we hope to expand our Arts Festival.

  • The ‘Y’ Factor Competition

In the summer term, we hold a school-wide music competition The ‘Y’ Factor, whereby pupils can audition to be able to perform at The ‘Y’ Factor Finals in front of a panel of judges made up of professional musicians.

  1. School Production

The Music and Drama departments work closely together to put on an annual musical theatre production.  Previous productions have included Les Miserables-The School’s Edition (2008), and My Fair Lady (2007).  These productions have proved to be a highlight of the school year and provide an opportunity for pupils to sing, act, or play an instrument (sometimes even all three!) to a large audience.